Life-saving device for the cabs of locomotives.



w. A. UTTZ. LIFE SAVING DEVICE FOR THE CABS 0F LOCOMOTIVES APPLlCATION FILED MAR 29, 1 915.

Patented July 20, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET W. A. UTTZ.

LIFE SAVING DEVICE FOR T HE CABS 0F LOCOMOTIVESQ APPLICAHON FILED MAR. 29, 1915.

1,14'7A65. I Patented July 20, 1915 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WILLIAM A. U'ITZ, OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS. I

LIFE-SAVING DEVICE FOR THE CABS 9F LOCOMOTIVES.

Application filed March 29, 1915.

Z '0 all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. UTTZ, a citizen of the United States residing at Fort forth, in the county of Tarrant and State ofTeXas. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Saving Devices for the Cabs of Locomotives, of which the following is aspeciiication.

My invention relates to safety devices for escaping from locomotive engine cabs, and more particularly to a detachable carrier to be discharged from the engineers cab in case of danger; and the object is to provide a carrier or protecting device into which the engineer can inclose himself instantly in time of danger and-which device.

will inclose the engineer and protect him. against falling on the ground or stones or I will be automatically detached from the cab and delivered to the ground or other place of safety for-the protection of the engineer or the fireman.

T he object is to provide a device which other dangerous objects andwhich can be sealed airaud water tight and provided with suitable valves which the engineer can operate. I

The object is to protect the engineer or fireman 01' both against fire and hot water or steam and to provide a ready means of escape ,from the engine.

()ne object is to provide a carrier or deliverer which cannot be crushed or will not be crushed in times of accident and danger.

Other objects and advantages are to provide a device which can be folded into a com act form which will not be in the way of the engineer during ordinary services but which can be utilized instantly in times of danger.

Other ob ects'and advantages will be fully explained in the following description and the invention will be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is had to the accompanying -cation.

Figure 1 isa side elevationof the device 'inounted inthe engineers cab in service position and showing a section the cab and.

a side elevation of the locomotive engine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device in collapsed form. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the connection" of the swinging running board to-the rotating mast and the buffer device. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the clutch Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 17,823.

which starts the cable to winding on the axle of the pony truck. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the chain connection on the end of the cable with the clutch. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the swinging running board. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the swinging running board swung out in the delivering position. Fig. 8

is a broken side elevation of the track for the traveling wedge. Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the wedge, its track, and the running board. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the wedge and the device for detaching the cable from the wedge. Fig. 11' is a plan view of the same. Fig. 12 is a broken view of the cab, showing the manner of hinging the side to the cab. Fig. 13 is a broken section ,of the cab, showing the devices for holding the side of the cab in position. Fig. 14 is a plan view of the devices for attaching the side of the cab to the body'thereof.

Fig. 15 is a detail plan view of one of the Patented July 20., 1915.

Similar characters of reference are used. to indicate the same parts throughout the so that they can be swung open when the safety device is to be used. A cab] is shown in conventional form with the sides 2 hinged thereto. The floor 3 of the cab consists of an extension of the running board 4: which is a swinging board for tie purpose of moving the safety device out of the cab and lies on the stationary running board 5. board 4 and supported by sliding bars 6 which are moved as hereinafter set forth. The usual seat 7 is provided and is mounted on the extension 3. Means are provided for inclosing the engineer or fireman in times of danger. A. carrier is formed by a series of steel or other metal rings 8 which may be arranged in a collapsed form to be instantly set up in. time of danger. Fig. 1 shows the safety device in the set up form, as when 'the'engincer has inclosed himself within the carrier. Fig. 2 shows the carrier in the collapsed form. It is apparent that the device can be collapsed up or down. The device will be described as collapsing above the position of the engineer so that the engineer can inclose himself by dropping the carrier down around himself. The carrier is supported by brackets 9 which are pivotally mounted on posts 10 by means of a collar 11 mounted on the post 10 and provided with a bearing arm 12. The bracket 9 has a lever 13. The top 14 of the carrier is supported on top of the posts 10. There may be an suitable number of posts 10. Two brackets 9 will be shown, but more brackets may be used if necessary or desirable. The brackets 9 reach under the bottom of the bottom ring 15 when this ring is elevated to the collapsed position. The brackets are held under the bottom ring 15 by bars 16 which are pivoted to the top 14 and rest against the upper ends of le vers 13 and held down by springs 17 which are attached to the bars 16 and to the collars 11. The levers 13 are released bycords or cables 18 which are connected to the bars 16 and run over and through central part of the top 14 and down within reach of the engineer and provided with a ring 19 for convenience in pulling on the cords. When the engineer wants to inclose himself, he

simply pulls on the ring 19. The carrier is guided in its vertical motion by the posts 10 and guides 20 which are movable on the posts and riveted to the bottom ring 15 of the carrier. The posts and the top 14 are attached together and the posts 10 are inserted in the bottom 21 which rests on the extension 3 of the running board 4. WVhen thecarrier is brought to operative position, it is locked in such position by leaf springs 22 which are attached to the posts 10 and engage the upper edges of the rings of the carrier. When the engineer has been inclosed, he can release himself by removing the top 14. The bottom ring 15 may be locked to the bottom by locks 23 which catch under lugs 24 which are attached to the bottom 21. Latches 23 are held locked by spiral springs 25.

Means are provided for moving the carrier out of the cab and depositing the same on the ground or other place. The swing- I ing running board 3 is used for this purpose.

I toward the engine.

Swinging board 3 is pivotally connected to a mast or pivot post 26 at the front end of the engine. The mast 26 can be braced in any suitable manner. A brace 27 is shown engaging the post 26 and attached to the boiler of the locomotive and a combined brace and ratchet holder 28 which is also attached to the boiler of the locomotive. The mast 26 is supported on ball bearings 29. The board 4 swings on the mast 26 'and provision is made for locking the board 4 against backward movement or movement A segmental rack 30 is rigidwith the mast 26 and a dog 31 is pivotally mounted in the bracket 28 by a pivot bolt 32. A buffer spring 33 is provided to and the lever moves the rod 52.

absorb the shock when the running board 3 is swung outwardly. The spring 33 15 mounted on a bracket 34 which is attached to the boiler. The spring 33 is provided with guides 34 and also a bolt 35 which moves freely through the bracket 34 and the spring 33 is attached to the forward end of the bolt and the bolt is prevented from moving out of the bracket forwardly by a cotter pin 36. A. cable or brace 37 is attached to the mast 26 and to the swinging running board back next to the cab for supporting the running board when swung in the outi'vard position.

Means are provided for swinging the board 3'to the outward position. The board 3 is forced outwardly by a movable wedge 38 and a cable 39 attached thereto and extended over pulley 40 which is mounted on the boiler and extended down under the axle 41. A chain link 42 is connected to the cable 39 and attached to a clutcn 43. A

and extended back to a point within the cab and connected to a disk 48 which has a lug or arm 49. When the carrier 8 drops and strikes the arm 49, the disk 48 will pull on the rod 47 and consequently on the lever and thus throw the chain 42in mesh with teeth which'are rigid with the axle 41. The axle 41 will then wind the cable 39 on the axle 41, and thus force the wedge 38 forward to force the running board 3 outwardly.

When the wedge 38 starts forward, it will cause the side of the cab to be released so i that the side 2 of the cab will not be in the way of the movement of the carrier. The cab side 2 is locked by pins50 which are carried by a rod 52 and which pins project through brackets 51 which are mounted on the side 2. When the wedge 38 starts it pulls on the rod 52 and tlius pullslthesepins out of the brackets 51. The side 2 of the cab will then swing open for the outward passage of the carrier 8. eratively connected to the rod wedge 38 carries an iuastanding pin 53 and a lever 54 is fulcrumed at 55 on the cab and pivotally connected to the rod When the wedge 38 moves forward, the pin 53 engages the lever 54 and moves this lever The rod 52 1s restored to normal position by spring 56.

Means are provided for tripping the extension 3 of the swinging running board. A.

forked bar 57 is slidahlv mounted under the board 4i with the two prongs 6 supporting the extension 3. The bar 5'? is mounted in brachets 58 attached to the under side of board at. Vv'hen the Wedge 38 moves for Ward carrying an arm 59, the arm 59 strikes an upstanding lug 60 which is rigid with rod 57 and forces this bar forward and in the track 62. After the Wedge has performed its function, it is released from the cable 39 .to prevent breaking of the cable and Wedge. A pin (i-l connects the cable to the wedge 38. A lifter is attached to the boiler and tapers to a thin forked edge. As the pin 64 approaches the lifter it will ride up on the lifter until the Wedge 38 is released. The side 2 is hinged to the cab, by hinges 66.

Means are provided for extinguishing the fire in case of accident and such means are automatically operated by the falling of the carrier. A tank 67 containing a solution of Water and chemicals is mounted on the boiler in front of the cab. A bottle containing sulfuric acid is mounted in the tank and a hammer 69 is pivotally mounted in the tank and adapted to strike the bottle 68. A

plunger 70, operating through a stuiiing box, projects into the tank 67 and a Wire 71 is connected to the plunger a-hd to a valve 72. The hammer (39 is also connected with the plunger 70. A pipe 73 runsfrom the valve 72 down into the fire-box 74. When the carrier 8 fails, it strikes a lever 7 5 which is connected to a cord 76 which runs over an idle pulley 77 and then is connected to the plunger 70. This action will cause the hammer 69 to break the bottle 68 which pro-' duces a chemical gas and at the same time opens the valve so that the gas will escape in the tire-box. The pipe 73 is perforated so as to distribute the gas over the entire fire-box 74-. Any other suitable fire extinguisher may be operated in the same manner.

Provision is made for turning the carrier slightly when it is. moved out of the cab. A strap or cord 75 may be attached to any stationary part of the cab and caught on, a lug 76. When the carrier starts out of the cab the cord 75 will pull on the lug 76 which is rigid with the carrier and thus turn the carrier to make the same face forward. A lug: 77 and a post or upstanding lug 78 will limit the turning of the carrier.

What l claim, is,

.l. A. safety attachment for the cabs of lo comotives com 'n'ising a collapsible carrier having a top and a stationary bottom and composed a series of steel rings telescopically engaging each other, means for makies i a;

ing the top stationary, and means for col lapsing the steel rings against the top.

A safetyatachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier having a stationary bottom and a stationary top, a body composed of collapsible steel rings adapted to fold against the top, means for holding the collapsed body against the top, and means for releasing the collapsed body for inclosing the occupant.

3. ii. safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier having a stationary bottom and a stationary top, a body composed of collapsible steel rings adapted to fold against the top, means for holding the collapsed body against the top, means for releasing the collapsed body for inclosing the occupant, and means for automatically locking the body to the bottom.

&. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier having a stationary bottom, atop and means for making the top stationary relative to the bottom, a body adapted to collapse against the top, means" for releasing the collapsed body to inclose the occupant, means for guiding the body to the bottom, and means for automatically locking the body to the bottom.

5. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier having a bottom, a seat fixed on the bottom, a top and posts holding the top and bottom at a fixed distance apart and forming guides, a body composed of steel rings, telescopically engaging each other and adapted to fold against said top, guides for said rings moving on said posts, and means for holding the rings in collapsed position.

6. A safety attachment for the cabs of lo comotives comprising a ca-rrier a top and a bottom, posts positioning said top and bottom from each other, abody composed of steel rings telescopically engaging each other and adapted to fold against the top, supporting elements pivoted on said posts for holding said body in the collapsed or folded position, and meansfor releasing said supporting elements to inclose 'an occupant in said carrier.

7. A safety attachment for the cabs of lo comotives comprising a carrier having a bottom and a top and posts positioning said top top and bottom at a lixcd distance apart, a

collapsible body adaptml to fold against said top. supporting mcn'ibcrs pivoted on said posts tor-holding saidbody inthe collapsed I position, locking devices for said supporting members, and cords engaging said locking devices and extending down through said top for releasing said supporting members from said body.

9. A safety attachment for the cabs of 1ocomotives comprising a carrier having a top and a bottom, a body composed of collapsible ring members adapted to fold against the top and to fall from the top to the bottom to inclose an occupant, a lug projecting in the path of the body to be actuated by the body when falling, and a cord connected to said lug. and to a fire-extinguishing apparatus for putting out the fire in the firebox of the boiler when said body falls.

10. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomoti-ves comprising a carrier having a top and a bottom positioned apart from each other, a body composed of collapsible rings adapted to extend from the top to the bottom and adapted to fold against the top, means for supporting the body against the top, means for releasing the body to inclose an occupant, a lug projecting in the path of the body, and a cord connected to said lug and to a fire-extinguishing apparatus lfor putting out the fire in the tire box of the boiler when said body falls.

11. A safety attachment for the cabs of loco.a ;-.otiv es comprising a carrier having a top and a bottom. positioned apart from each other, an inclosing member supported against said top and adapted to descend to said bottom for inc-losing an occupant, and" means for removing said carrier from the cab consisting of a swinging running board pivotally mounted at one end and supporting said carrier at the other end, actuating means for swinging said running board with said carrier out of. the cab, and means actuated by said body when falling from the top to the bottom for starting said actuating means.

12. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprisin a carrier normally standing open but adapted for inclosing a person in time of danger mounted in the cab of the locomotive, means for closing the carrier, and means actuated by the closing of the carrier for extinguishing the fire in the locomotive. 4

13. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab, and means for removing the carrier from the cab comprising a swingingrunning board'extending into the bottom of the cab and supporting the carrier, and means for moving ,the swinging running board out of the cab.

'14. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab, and means for moving said carrier out of the cab consisting of a swin ing running board supported on the running board locomotives comprising a cab having a side of the locomotive and'extending within the cab and supporting the carrier and means to be actuated by the moving of the locomotive to move said swinging running board with said carrier out of the cab.

15. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab, and means for moving the carrier out of the cab consisting of a swinging run ning board supported on the running board of the locomotive and extending within the cab and supporting the said carrier, a wedge movable on the running board of the locomotive, and a cable con nected with said wedge and with an axle of the locomotive.

16. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab of the locomotive, and means for moving the carrier out of the cab consisting 35 of a swinging running board having a hinged section and supported on the running board of the locomotive and extending within the cab and supporting the carrier, a wedge moving on said running board, a clutch mounted on an axle of the locomotive, and a. cable connected to said wedge and to be connected to said clutch in time of danger.

17. A safety attachment 'forthe cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab, and means for moving the carrier out of the cab consisting of a swinging board pivotally connected to the locomotive and extending within the cab and supporting the 10a arrier, a wedge adapted to move on the running board of the locomotive for moving said swinging board, a clutch mounted on an axle of the locomotive, a cable connected to said wedge andnormally disconnected from said clutch, and means operable from said carrier for connecting said cable with said clutch.

18. A safety attachment tor the cabs oif hingedly and detachably connected to the cab, a carrier mounted in the cab, a delivery mechanism operable by the moving oi the locomotive for moving said carrier out of the cab, and means operatively connected with said delivery mechanism for detaching said hinged side from said cab.

19. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprisinga cab having a side hingedly connected thereto at one edge and detachably connected thereto at the bottom edge, a carrier mounted in the cab, a delivery mechanism operable by the moving of the locomotive for moving said carrier out of the cab, and means operatively connected with said delivery mechanism. for detaching said hinged side at the bottom edge thereof.

20. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab of the locomotivc,'a swinging boa rd having a hinged section extending under and supporting said carrier, bars slidably connected with said swinging board for supporting said extension, a movable wedge for moving said board, and means actuated by said wedge for sliding said bars from under said extension.

21. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab of a locomotive, a swinging running board extending within the cab and supporting the carrier, a wedge for mov1ng said running board, a cable connected with said wedge for moving the wedge, and a detaching means for releasing the cable from the wedge at the end of the travel of the wedge.

22. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier, a delivery mechanism for moving the carrier out of the cab in time of danger, and means con-' in said track, and means for operating sai wedge.

24. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab, a swinging board pivoted at its forward end to the boiler of the locomotive and extending within said cab and supporting the carrier, means fon swinging said board outwardly on its pivotal connection,

and a spring buffer to receive shock of said swinging board at the limit of its outward travel.

25. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab, a swinging board pivoted at its forward end to the boiler of the locomotive and extending within and supporting said carrier, means for -swinging said board outwardly on its pivotal connection, and a ratchet mechanism for locking said board against a backwardswinging motion. 26. A safety attachment for the cabs of locomotives comprising a carrier mounted in the cab, a mast rigid with the forward part of the boiler, a swinging board pivotally connected with said mast and extending withinsaid cab and supporting the carrier,

and means for swinging said board outwardly on its pivotal connection with said mast.

In testimony whereof, I set my hand in the presence of two witnesses, this 25th day of March, 1915.

WILLIAM A. UTTZ.

Witnesses:

A. L. JACKSON, J. W. Srrrr. 

